Box covering machine



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. H. LAUTBN. BOX COVERING MACHINE.

No. 597,360. Pate ted fan.'l1,1898.

WiTNESSES Jl. 3W5 f/MJZ;

ATTOR N EY (N0 Model.) ASheets-Sheet 2.

F. H. LAUTEN. BOX COVERING MACHINE.

v No. 597,360. Patented Jan. 11, 1898.

WlfNESSES: 4 5? fa zwz-w (No Model.) 4 Sheet sSheet 3.

P. H. LAUTBN. BOX COVERING MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 11, 1898.

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{No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet P H LAUTEN BOX COVERING MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 11,1898.

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UNITED STATES PATENT rricn.

FRANK H. LAUTEN, OF NEAV YORK, N. Y.

BOX-COVERING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,360, dated January1 l, 1898.

Application filed November 6, 1896. Serial No. 611,229. (No model.)

. To all whom it may concern.-

analogous material.

Be it known that I, FRANK H. LAUTEN, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of New York, in the State of New York,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Box-CoveringMachines, of which the following is a specification.

The improvement applies to machines for making all that class ofboxesand box-covers of rectangular form made of pasteboard or It relates tothe application of the covering-paper and more particularly to thefolding of the edge of such covering-paper over the upper edge of thebox and down a little on its inner face. It will be understood that thecovering-paper, as usual, has a width somewhat greater than the depth ofthe box and that after having its inner face covered with glue or pastein the proper condition to make it both adhesive and flexible is appliedon the box in the usual position with both edges overhanging-that is tosay, with one edge extending beyond the bottom to be folded inward uponthe outside of the bottom and the other edge extending above the top tobe folded over and downward on the inner face to give a finish to the upper edge of the box. Machines have been proposed to attain these ends,but the objections have been such that it has been considered generallypreferable to effect the lastnamed folding operation by hand. Myinvention avoids the difliculties.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification andrepresent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l. is a side elevation of a portion of a box-covering machinehaving my invention applied and in use. Fig. l is a correspondingelevation of a small portion as seen from the opposite side. Fig. 2 is aplan view showin g the same parts, but with a portion broken out toallow the drawing on a large scale to be shown within the proper limits.Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of aportion through the box and theimmediately-adjacent parts. Fig. 3 is an end elevation showing theseparts on a larger scale, the same means being employed by breaking out aportion to allow a large scale to be used within the required limits ofsize. Fig. i is asectional view taken in the plane indicated by thedotted lines 3 3 in Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrow.Figs. 5 toS, inclusive, are diagrams illustrating the several positionsof the brushes with relation 'to the box during the application of thecovering-strip.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures where they appear.

I will describe the invention as applied to the ordinary style ofpaper-box-covering machines, of which a good example is that set forthin the patent to Isaac G. Raffel, dated January 17, 1893, No. 490,124,the properlyformed bodies of the box being applied suceessively on asuitable former and a strip of paper adapted to cover all the four sidesbeing fed forward over a pasting-roller and wound around upon theexterior. The strip must have a width in excess of the depth of the boxand is guided so that the edges shall extend both above and below thepasteboard sides. The operation of cutting off each length and applyingit in this manner, so as to be extended around upon the rectangularexterior of a box to form a little more than one complete circuit, iseffected in the ordinary manner. My invention operates to press thestrip of paper gently and uniformly upon the box and folds both theedges, pressing them snugly and firmly into their proper positions.

A is the fixed framing, of east-iron or other suitable material.

B is a former carrying a box M and turn ing with a shaft B. There is aroller or other guide Z, under which is received the strip of paper or,which is applied upon the box and drawn with the ordinary tightnessaround upon its exterior with the edges overhanging.

E E are levers connected to form a frame capable of rising and sinkingby turning on a fixed axis 6 and partially counterbalanced by anadjustable weight E, exerting a lifting force on the frame E and itsentire connections, which should be adjusted by changing the weights sothat they will nearly bal- ICO anee. volving brush D D, the part D ofwhich is of larger diameter than the part D. In the part D the bristlesare arranged to stand parallel to the axis. This portion thus equippedmay be termed a crown-brush or simply a crown.

The entire main brush D D receives a rapid rotatory motion through apulley D by means of a belt F, running over a driving-pulley D whichrevolves on an axis coinciding with the axis 6, so that as the frameErises and sinks to accommodate the corners and the differences betweenthe length and breadth of a long box the driving-belt F will be alwayskept equally tight. The brush D D performs by its main body D thefunction of smoothing the dampened paper strip on and pressing it intothe desired intimate contact with the body of the box, and by its crownportion D performs the further function of folding inward the edge whichis to constitute the lower edge and pressing it smoothly into contactwith the adjacent portion of the bottom of the box. The folding andpressing smoothly thus effected by the crownbrush D is simple and willrequire no further elucidation. The body D of the brush also, by theaction of the bristles upon the other edge of the flexible paper-i. e.,that which extends beyond what is to be the upper edge of the boxpartially folds such edge of the paper inward, leaving it in a positionto be easily seized by a small brush G, which I will call the insidebrush, havingpeculiar motions. This is revolved in bearings which arecarried upward and downward with the main brush, so as to maintain therequired close relation thereto in all positions. I provide means forchanging it forward and backward under the main brush, holding itoutwardin all positions against the interior of the box. As the former Band the box M held thereon are turned at the proper moderate speed thestrip of paper an is applied thereon by the attendantand cut oif inproper lengths by a shearing cut in the ordinary manner. The revolutionsof the box are effected by a crossed beltN on the pulleys B 13 but ifnecessary that belt may be removed and the box may be revolved at anyrequired variable rate controlled by the attendant.

In order to work effectively in the corners of the box as they aresuccessively presented,

it is necessary that the inside brush be narrow, and for treatingshallow boxes and shallow covers it is important that it be of smalldiameter. I provide means for automatically effecting the requiredswinging to a variable extent forward and backward as the box is turnedto present corners and sides in different positions.

\Vhen a mid-length of a side or end of the box is being treated, theinside brush G is working directly below the brush D, as shown in Fig.5; but as the box is turned and the The frame E affords bearings for aretreatment progresses the side is presented in an inclined position,Fig. 6, and the line of contact with the main brush D D is rearward ofthat central position (to the right in Fig. 1) and the inside brush Gmust be correspon dingly shifted rearward. Later, as the next corner ispresented, the line of contact of the box with the main brush D D isagain central, (see Fig. 7,) and as soon as the corner has passed theline of contact is correspondingly shifted forward and a little lateragain backward, and the inside brush G is corre spondingly moved forwardand backward, (the latter position being indicated in Fig. 8,) so as tobe always acting on the interior of the box substantially coincidentwith that line of contact. I will now describe in detail the means bywhich these changes of position of the axis of the brush G are effected,and also by which continuous rotation is imparted to it in allpositions.

A framing free to turn loosely on the shaft of the brush D is composedof a movable arm or link I, which engages loosely with the shaft and isrigidly connected to one end of a crossbar I, the other end of which isindirectly supported by links I I through the mech anism of asleeve L.On the cross-baris feathered an arm J, extending rearward under the mainbrush D D and serving to support the inside brush G, while the turningof the frame I I relatively to the frame E allows it to be changedforward and backward within wide limits. The sleeve L receivescontinuous rotary motion through a gear-wheel L, feathered thereon andmeshing with an intermediate gear-wheel K, engaging with a gearwheel Don the shaft of the main brush D D. A gear-wheel L mounted on thesleeve, transmits the motion so acquired to a wheel WV, which in turncommunicates it via bevelgears XV G to a short shaft supported inbearings in the arm J and carrying the brush G. The feathering of theparts allows the sleeve L to be shifted endwise to accommodate variousdepths of boxes to be covered. The required continuous and rapidrevolutions are thus communicated through the sleeve L and thegear-wheels D K, L, L W, WV, and G to the inside brush G, while thelatter is at liberty to swing forward and backward, being always kept inclose relation to the main brush D D and therefore in the proper contactwith the interior of the box.

P is a carriage adapted to slide forward and backward to a small extentin horizontal ways on the fixed framing. On a pin set in such carriage aroller Q is mounted, said roller being in contact with a cam T forimparting motion to the frame, said cam being carried on a rotatingshaft R, which receives through a gear-wheel R a continuous rotarymotion corresponding with the revolution of the box. The carriage P,thrust forward by the action of the cam, is returned by the action'oflong gentle spiral springs, Figs. 1 and 1.

IIO

P is an arm rigidly attached extending upward from the carriage P,curved,as shown, and partaking of the forward-and-backward motion ofsuch carriage. A swiveling device in the form of a strong screw S,loosely fitting on the end of the crossbar 1, takes hold by its forkedhead S of this curved arm P and as the carriage P moves forward andbackward the frame I is correspondingly rocked, and consequently theinside brush G is moved forward and backward and slightly rocked to theproper extent the proper number of times. This favorably presents thebrushes to the several sides and corners of the box. Dtherwise theinside brush would be particularly difficult to accommodate. Thepasteboard boxes to be covered being successively applied on the formerfrom the left side in Fig. 3 and rotated at the required rate aresuccessively removed by a return movement to the left in the completelyfinished condition, requiring no further treat-- ment by hand or by anyother machinery. The frame E and its attachments may be readily raisedto anyheight required to allow the removal of the finished. box and theintro duction of another for each operation.

The delivery end of the box covering machine must be wider than shown.It should be of such width that the crossbar I and shaft B are nearlytwice as long as shown. This allows a suflicient range of adjustment ofthe sleeve L on the cross-bar I. It will be understood that the purposeof feathering the arm J on the cross-bar I is to allow it and itsconnected parts to be adjusted from one side to the other to allow oftreating boxes of different depths that is to say, the bottom of the boxis always pressed into contact with the crown-brush D-but the other edgeand the adjacent parts which fold the paper over it must be at variabledistances therefrom in treating boxes of different depths.

To facilitate the exchange of formers for different sizes and shapes ofboxes, I provide the shaft B, on which the former is mounted, with awidened head or end B (see Fig. 2) and set in this head pins B B". Theformer B has corresponding holes which receive these pins. The formermay be made of wood of proper thickness. For small and shallow boxes itshould be thin.

X is a clamp capable of turning on a center X on the framing. It hasasmoothly-fitting surface X adapted to press on the center of thebox-bottom and hold it with sufficient firmness on the former. To removea box, this clamp is turned outward. \Vhen a new box has been applied onthe former, the clamp is restored to its place.

I have shown the ordinary cuttcrand actuating-spring for clipping offthe paper at the proper time. These parts may be varied.

The requisite motion may beimparted to the axis or shaft e through themedium of bevel friction gear-wheels R R, the latter being carried by agrooved sleeve R feathered on a drive-shaft R to revolve therewith, butcapable of longitudinal movement thereon. The fork members 'r r of alever (the other parts of which are not shown) controlled by the foot ofthe attendant enables the wheel R to be moved into and out of contactwith the wheel R to start or stop the actuation of the machine.

It is important to bring the strip of paper m into contact with theexterior of the box before it is subjected to the action of the brushesD, D, and G. I attain this by means of a long sleeve Z of smalldiameter, which I will term a roller, mounted loosely, so that it canroll on a crossbar Y, which is supported in links U .U of proper length,turning freely on the extended shaft of the brush D D. This roller risesand sinks with such brush as the box is revolved and the corners andsides are successively presented. The gravity of the parts, aided, ifrequired, by a gentle spring, (not shown,) holds it down, and

the strip on bcin g passed under it is therebystuck lightly upon the boxready to be fully and firmly pressed thereon by the brushing whichfollows.

It'will be observed that my former is of a thickness much less than thedepth of the box. I support the interior of the box by means ofaloosely-held inside bar Y extending from the upper edge nearly to theformer. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) It is mounted in an arm Y, which is fixedfirmly on the slightly-rocking rod Y and extends parallel to the latterat the proper distance therefrom. The rod Y by turning freely in itssupporting-links U U allows the arm Y, with the inside bar, to turn toaccommodate itself to the varying positions in which the box ispresented as it turns. The inside bar Y with the inside brush G pressingoutward on the inner face of the box at the points'where such support ismainly needed, allows all other internal support, except the shallowformer B, to be dispensed with.

Modifications may be made without departing from the principle orsacrificing the advantages of the invention. I can employ an additionalbrush to effect the more perfect compression of the lower edges of thepaper on upon the bottom of the box; but my experiments do not indicatethat such is necessary or desirable, the crown or face brush D effectingthe end with great perfection'.

The cam T may be readily changed, so as to vary the action,if required.In adjusting the machine to treat boxes of different depths the part ofthe box which is to be the bottom will always come in a fixed positionnear the left side of the machine, where it can be acted on by thebristles of the crown-brush D. The other edge of the boxthat which is tobe the upper edge-will come at various positions on the length of themain brush D,

according to the depth of the box. Not only is the transverse bar Igrooved longitudinally, as above described, and the arm J securedthereon by a key in the obvious manner, but the sleeve L is also splinedlongitudinally and the gear-wheel L is fitted thereon by the aid of akey or feather, (not shown,) so that the gearing D K, L, and I, may beshifted longitudinally, according to the depth of the box to be treated.These changes should be made in harmony, and will adapt the machine totreat boxes of any depth less than the full length of the brush D.

Parts of the invention may be used without the whole. I can use thebrush D and its face-brush D to effect their respective parts of thework without the inside brush G or any of the driving mechanismtherefor.

Instead of revolving the box-former B at the required rate by a belt onthe pulley B as indicated, I can remove the belt and effect therevolution by hand. In such case, in making boxes of any peculiarproportion, the attendant can revolve the box-former irregularly, so asto favor the action and present the box always correctly.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a machine for covering paper boxes, thebrush-rim or crown-brush D in combination with the cylindrical brush Darranged to operate relatively to a former 13, all substantially asherein specified.

2. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the brush-rim or crown-brushD, in combination with the cylindrical brush D, and with a frame E,partially counterbalancing weight E, and the driving-pulleys D and D andbelt F, all arranged to serve relatively to each other and to a formerB, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

3. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the brush-rim or crown-brush Dand the cylindrical brush D, arranged to operate relatively to a formerB, in combination with the revoluble inside brush G, for pressing thepaper into contact with the inner face of the box, substantially asherein specified.

4. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the combination withprovisions as the former B for holding and slowly revolving the boxbody,and provisions as the brush D D for pressing a suficiently broad paperstrip into intimate contact with the exterior and defiecting the edgesinward, and an inside brush G arranged to act on one edge of thecoveringpaper so as to unite it smoothly with the inner face of the box,a framing I supporting such inside brush and adapted to turn on an axiscoincident with the center of the main brush D D and a train of gears DKARI/V, G, for rotating the inside brush G in all positions,substantially as herein specified.

5. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the combination withprovisions as the former B for holding and slowly revolving the boxbody,of provisions as the brush D D, for

pressing a sufficiently broad paper strip into intimate contact with theexterior and deflectingthe edges inward, and an inside brush G arrangedto act on one edge of the covering-paper and unite it smoothly with theinner face of the box, a framing I supporting such inside brush and freeto turn on an axis coincident with the center of the main brush D, and atrain-of gears D K, IV, WV, G, for rotating the inside brush in allpositions, and means as the reciprocating carriage P with its curvedupper arm P, and swiveling piece 8, S, engaged with said frame I,arranged to move the inside brush G forward and backward, and to impartcontinuous rotation to it in all positions, all adapted for jointoperation substantially as herein specified.

6. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the main brush D I), andrising-and-sinking frame E with provisions for partiallycounterbalancing, and provisions for holding the box to be covered andslowly revolving it as required, and provisions for supplying a strip ofglued paper to be fixed thereon, in combination with the link I andcross-bar I turning on an axis coincident with the axis of the mainbrush D D, and with the arm J fixed on said cross-bar, and the insidebrush G carried on such arm, so that the brush may swing forward andbackward to maintain its close relation to the main brush D, all adaptedfor, joint operation substantially as herein specified.

7. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the main brush D D, arising-and-sinking frame E with provisions for partiallycounterbalancing, and provisions for holding the box to be covered andslowly revolving it as required and provisions for supplying a strip ofglued paper to be fixed thereon, in combi nation with the link I andcross-bar I turning on an axis coincident with the axis of the mainbrush, and with the arm J fixed on said cross-bar, and the inside brushG carried on such arm, so that said brush may swing forward and backwardto maintain its close relation to the main brush, and with the gearing DK, WV, 'W and G, adapted to communicate the required rapid rotary motionfrom the main brush D D to the brush G in all positions of the latter,substantially as herein specified.

8. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the main brush D D, andrising-and-sinking frame E, with provisions for partiallycounterbalancing and provisions for holding the box to be covered andslowly revolving it as required, and provisions for supplying a strip ofglued paper to be fixed thereon, in combination with an inside brush andmeans for operating it, and with provisions as the splined cross-bar Iand the splined sleeve L for adjusting the position of the inside brushand its connected parts to allow for different depths of b0x,.a1lsubstantially as herein specified.

9. In a machine for covering paper boxes,

the main brush DD, and risin g-and-sinkin g frame E with provisions forpartially counterbalancing, and provisions for holding the box to becovered and slowly revolving it as required, and provisions forsupplying a strip of glued paper to be fixed thereon, in combinationwith the link I, cross-bar I turning on an axis coincident with the axisof the main brush, and with the arm J fixed on said crossbar and theinside brush G carried on such arm, so that said brush may swing forwardand backward to maintain its close relation to the main brush, and Withthe gearing D KJNAV' and G, adapted to communicate the required rapidrotary motion from the main brush D D to the brush G in all positions ofthe latter, and with the reciprocating carriage P and the arm Pextending upward therefrom and partaking of the reciprocating motionthereof, adapted to serve relatively to the said inside brush,substantially as herein specified.

10. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the main brush D D, andrising-and-sinking frame E with provisions for partiallycounterbalancing, and provisions forholding the box to be covered andslowly revolving it as required, and provisions for supplying a strip ofglued paper to be fixed thereon, in combination with the link I,cross-bar I, turning on an axis coinciding with the axis of the mainbrush D D, and with the arm J fixed on said cross-bar, and the insidebrush G carried on such arm, so that said brush may swing forward andbackward to maintain its close relation to the main brush D, and withthe gearin g D IQW'AV and G, adapted to communicate the required rapidrotary motion from the main brush D D tothe brush G in all positions ofthe latter, and with the reciprocating carriage P and the arm Pextending upward. therefrom and partaking of the reciprocating motionthereof adapted to serve with the forked headed screw S S or equivalentswiveling piece mounted of the parts connected with the inside brush andengaged with said arm, all arranged for joint operation substantially asspecified.

11. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the main brush D I) andrising-and-sinking frame E with provisions for partiallycounterbalancing, and provisions for holding the box to be covered andslowly revolving the latter as required, and provisions forsupplyingastrip of glued paper to be fixed thereon, in

I combination with the link I and cross-bar I turning on an axiscoincident with the axis of the main brush D D, and with the arm .Ifixed on said cross-bar, and the inside brush G carried on such arm, andwith a cam T receivin g motion from the formerand connected to thecarriage so as to give a predetermined traverse backward and forward tothe said inside brush, all arranged for joint operation substantially asherein specified.

12. In a machine for covering paper boxes,

the main brush D D, and rising-and-sinking frame E with provisions forpartially countel-balancing, and provisions for holding the box to becovered and slowly revolving it as required, an d provisions forsupplying a strip of glued paper to be fixed thereon, in combinationwith the link I and cross-bar I turning on an axis coincident with theaxis of the frame E of the main brush D D, and with the arm J fixed onthe said cross-bar and the inside brush G carried on such arm and withthe cam T receiving motion from the former and connected to the carriageso as to give a predetermined traverse backward and forward to the saidinside brush, and with the clutch R adapted to disconnect a portion ofthe mechanism at will, all substantially as herein specified.

13. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the main brush D D, andrising-and-sinking frame E, with provisions for partiallycounterbalancing, and provisions for holding the box to be treated andslowly revolving it as required, and provisions for supplying a strip ofglued paper to be fixed thereon, in combination with the removable clampX adapted to hold the box on the former, all arranged for jointoperation substantially as herein specified.

14. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the main brush D D, andrising-and-sinking frame E, with provisions for partiallycounterbalancing, and provisions for holding the box to be covered andslowly revolving it as required, and provisions for supplying a strip ofglued paper to be fixed thereon, in combination with the removable clampX adapted to hold the box on the former, and with the removable form erB and the pins 13* on the shaft B engaged. therewith adapted to allow ofready change of the former, substantially as herein specified.

15. In a machine for covering paper boxes, the main brush D D andrising-and-sinking frame E with provisions for partiallycounterbalancing, and provisions for holding the box to be covered andslowly revolving it as required, and provisions for supplying a strip ofglued paper to be fixed thereon, in combination with the link I,cross-bar I turning on an axis coincident with the axis of the mainbrush, and with the arm J fixed on the said cross-bar, and the insidebrush G carried on such arm, arranged as shown, so that the brush mayswing forward and backward maintaining its close relation to the mainbrush, and with the gearing D, K, V, N, and G, adapted to communicatethe required rapid rotary motion from the main brush D D to the brush Gin all positions of the latter, and with the reciprocating carriage P,and the arm P extending upward therefrom and partaking of thereciprocating motion thereof, adapted to serve relatively to the saidinside brush, and with the fork-headed screw S S or equivalent swivelingpiece mounted on the parts connected with the inside brush and engagedwith the said arm and with the inside bar Y adapted to serve as aninside support for the loox, With provisions for changing its positionso that it shall be always near the line Where the brushes D D and Gact, all adapted for joint operation substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix mysignature in pres- 1o ence of two witnesses.

FRANK II. LAUTEN.

Witnesses:

J. B. CLAUTICE, M. F. BOYLE.

